Peer-reviewed article
Immunisation schedule of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics: 2019 recommendations
David Moreno‐Pérez, Francisco José Álvarez García, Javier Álvarez Aldeán, María José Cilleruelo Ortega, María Garcés‐Sánchez et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001The Spanish Association of Paediatrics published its 2019 immunisation recommendations for children in Spain, based on current vaccine evidence. The recommendations cover funded vaccines including hexavalent and pneumococcal vaccines, MMR, varicella, HPV, and meningococcal vaccines, with specific schedules for each. The document also recommends non-funded vaccines such as meningococcal B and rotavirus vaccination for all infants. A key priority is improving vaccination coverage rates across the country.
Key points
- Hexavalent and 13-valent pneumococcal vaccines recommended using 2 + 1 strategy (2, 4, 11 months)
- MMR and varicella use 2-dose schemes at 12 months and 3–4 years
- HPV vaccination recommended for both genders, preferably at 12 years of age, with new 9-valent vaccine now available
- Meningococcal B vaccination recommended with request for inclusion in National Immunisation Programme
- Rotavirus vaccination recommended for all infants as non-funded immunisation
Limitations
This document presents recommendations rather than evaluation data, so it cannot demonstrate whether these vaccines are actually effective or what outcomes result from following these schedules. It provides no information on vaccination coverage rates, adherence to the recommendations, or health outcomes in the Spanish child population.
Abstract
The Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics annually publishes the immunisation schedule considered optimal for children resident in Spain, according to available evidence on current vaccines. As regards funded immunisations, the 2 + 1 strategy (2, 4, 11 months) with hexavalent (DTPa-IPV-Hib-HB) and 13-valent pneumococcal vaccines are recommended. Administration of the 6-year booster dose with DTPa is recommended, with a poliomyelitis dose for children who had received the 2 + 1 scheme, as well as Tdap vaccine for adolescents and pregnant women in every pregnancy between 27 and 32 weeks gestation. The 2-dose scheme should be used for MMR (12 months and 3–4 years) and varicella (15 months and 3–4 years). MMRV vaccine could be applied as the second dose. Vaccination against HPV is recommended in both genders, preferably at 12 years of age. A stronger effort should be made to improve vaccination coverage. The new 9-valent vaccine is now available, expanding the coverage for both genders. Tetravalent meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) is recommended at 12 months and 12-14 years, with a catch-up up at 19 years of age. It is also recommended in infants older than 6 weeks of age with risk factors, or travellers to countries with high incidence of ACWY meningococcal serogroups. As regards non-funded immunisations, meningococcal B vaccination is recommended, with a 2 + 1 schedule, and requests that it be included in the National Immunisation Programme. Vaccination against rotavirus is recommended in all infants.